Freezer for Ice Packs for Heat Sensitivity

[Anna131517]

I have MS and am heat sensitive - a rise in my body temp triggers my MS symptoms. We normally only go to Disney World in Jan or Feb but this year we have to go over spring break in April because my kids missed 3 weeks of school due to COVID. I’m going to bring cooling vests to wear in the parks. However, how do I freeze the gel packs that go in the cooling vests, and the ice packs I’ll need to keep them cool in the parks? Will Disney provide a freezer for our room? We are staying at POR and CB (preferred rooms).

I normally store chilly pads inside a ziplock bag full of ice water, stored in a soft sided cooler with an ice pack. Will I be allowed to take that in the parks or will that be prohibited because it contains ice?

Thank you.

 

[jo-jo]

I would write to disney and ask. I'd want to double triple sure since your health is the need, not just keeping ice cream cold.

 

[Narcoossee11]

The resorts don't have freezers other than the mini fridge.
No ice can be brought into parks BUT you will be given all you want / need once in park.

 

[DisneyOma]

You could use the instant cold packs, the kind that have the chemical reaction instead of needing to get a freezer and ice.

 

[lanejudy]

Ice can be taken into the parks. Just no “loose ice” which means if it’s bagged in zipper bags you are fine.

Ideally I would book a room with a real refrigerator/freezer (a villa). But if that isn’t possible I would contact Disability Services and see if you can request an actual freezer for medical need.

 

[Selket]

However, how do I freeze the gel packs that go in the cooling vests, and the ice packs I’ll need to keep them cool in the parks? Will Disney provide a freezer for our room?

I wonder if any place off site rents/delivers a portable freezer for hotel rooms? I've never seen it mentioned but it's a thought.

I agree with staying in a proper villa with a full size fridge that has a freezer but that will be expensive. Perhaps look at renting DVC points...make sure if you do that the place you're looking at has the full size fridge with freezer and not just a mini fridge.

Do the suites at AoA have freezers in their little fridges? I was thinking if any of the hotels had mini fridges with a freezer that Disney might more easily be able to bring one to your room wherever you stay.

 

[SueM in MN]

I wonder if any place off site rents/delivers a portable freezer for hotel rooms? I've never seen it mentioned but it's a thought.

I agree with staying in a proper villa with a full size fridge that has a freezer but that will be expensive. Perhaps look at renting DVC points...make sure if you do that the place you're looking at has the full size fridge with freezer and not just a mini fridge.

Do the suites at AoA have freezers in their little fridges? I was thinking if any of the hotels had mini fridges with a freezer that Disney might more easily be able to bring one to your room wherever you stay.

I haven’t stayed there, but the pictures I’ve seen show under counter refrigerators without a freezer compartment. Even if they did have a freezer compartment, those in the past were very small and didn‘t freeze well.
This review from Disney Food blog has a picture of the inside of the refrigerator at the AOA Lion King refurbished Family Suite room

From what I’ve read, most of the resorts with mini refrigerators either have the same type or switched to ‘beverage coolers’, so the only options might be full size ones at DVC 1 and 2 bedroom villas.
The resort may have a freezer for storage at the registration area where the OP could store the packs to freeze. Can try contacting Disability Services or the resort to see if they have other options. The easiest way to handle keeping the packs cold might be to do the same in the room as OP mentioned doing when out. You can get as much ice as you need from the ice machines at the resort.

As @lanejudy mentioned, guests can bring ice into the parks; it just has to be contained in a ziplock or other bag so security can check it without putting their hands in cold water. Once you get into the park, you can get ice for free anywhere that serves Fountain drinks - that would be Quick Service restaurants. They usually give it by the cup. The easiest place to get ice is First Aid because they can give larger quantities. Prior to COVID, First Aid was able to store some supplies for guests. I haven’t heard one way or the other whether this is still an option.

 

[SueM in MN]

Rather than a cooler bag, you may want to get a reusable frozen foods bag. We have a similar bag to this that we got at Costco. It does keep things really cold - much better than just a cooler bag.
Thermal Bag on Amazon

 

[Anna131517]

Thank you. I have cooler bags that work very well - they’re leftover from my days of toting around bottles. They will work all day. I can’t change resorts. There’s limited availability and we can’t afford those other suggestions. I looked into medical supply companies and the ones I contacted don’t provide muni freezers. I’ll figure out a way to buy one. Thank you!

 

[jo-jo]

Before you buy one , don't forget to contact disney and ask.

Can you buy one local at walmart or amazon and leave it there. Little pricey just for a few days. but if you need it, you need it.....https://www.walmart.com/ip/Arctic-King-1-1-Cu-ft-Upright-Freezer-AUFM011AEW-White/248677244

 

[lanejudy]

I don't know how you are traveling, but there are "freezers" that can be plugged into a car while traveling and then could be plugged into an outlet in the resort room. I don't know how well they actually freeze or just keep things cold while in transit.

 

[jo-jo]

You could use the instant cold packs, the kind that have the chemical reaction instead of needing to get a freezer and ice.

That's a good idea, but how long do they stay cold? I've never used them. Will she need to trade them out several times an hour?

 

[Anna131517]

Luckily I have relatives in Florida so I might ask them to bring the mini freezer to the resort for me.

 

[gap2368]

That's a good idea, but how long do they stay cold? I've never used them. Will she need to trade them out several times an hour?

as I remember they do not stay cold long

 

[Anna131517]

as I remember they do not stay cold long

The gel packs can work for a few hours hours. Hopefully I’ll be OK to start the day and at the end. I’m worried about the middle of the day because I start having problems around 80 degrees and the average highs for mid-late April are low 80’s. I’m bringing a cooling vest with extra gel packs, a cooling headband, wide brimmed visor, chilly pads, and cooling wrist bands. I have a double stroller to store it all in because my youngest two kids will still need it for the long days. We’re rope drop people, doing all table service meals to get out of the heat, I’m going to avoid outdoor lines as much as possible, and we’ve built in resort days every third day. Hopefully we can make it work!

 

[jo-jo]

Concerning the chemical pack idea DisneyOma suggested, it might be a good idea to carry a few as emergency cooling. Like if you are a ride line and it's taking way longer than expected and started to feel too warm......maybe a few of those will be enough to carry you through until you can get to some AC.

 

[DisneyOma]

When you are in the parks, you can also get ice at the QS counters, soda refill machines, and first aid should also have something available.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Thank you. I have cooler bags that work very well - they’re leftover from my days of toting around bottles. They will work all day. I can’t change resorts. There’s limited availability and we can’t afford those other suggestions. I looked into medical supply companies and the ones I contacted don’t provide muni freezers. I’ll figure out a way to buy one. Thank you!

be sure the room will be able to handle the extra load and not blow your breaker. mini freezer is not going to help if breaker blows while you are out or sleeping

 

[Anna131517]

Concerning the chemical pack idea DisneyOma suggested, it might be a good idea to carry a few as emergency cooling. Like if you are a ride line and it's taking way longer than expected and started to feel too warm......maybe a few of those will be enough to carry you through until you can get to some AC.

Oh trust me I won’t be going in any outside lines when it’s warm. If we had gone in January I might not have bothered with Genie+ but since we’re going when it’s warm I’m definitely getting it. I basically plan on bouncing between indoor locations. My husband can help take the kids on rides where I can’t handle the heat. I deal with heat intolerance every day - as soon as my face starts going numb I know I need to get somewhere cool fast. No ride is worth being exhausted for days, getting horribly dizzy and nauseous, and having trouble speaking or thinking.

 

[lovethattink]

My son had to wear a cooling vest for years. We specifically bought this cooling vest with Disney in mind. The ice packs freeze at 58 degrees. First Aid gave us use of a refrigerator and for the room we just needed a cooler bag with ice or the room refrig.

The resorts back then, could not offer us a freezer, neither could First Aid.

Polar Products Cooling Vest

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